BJP leadership faces ire of several MPs over women's bill

The BJP leadership today faced the ire of several of its MPs over the Women's Reservation Bill, who said they were not consulted while deciding to support such an important legislation.

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PTI

New Delhi

March 11, 2010

UPDATED: March 11, 2010 21:03 IST

The BJP leadership today faced the ire of several of its MPs over the Women's Reservation Bill, who said they were not consulted while deciding to support such an important legislation.

Around 18 MPs aired their grievances at a meeting of all BJP MPs from the Lok Sabha convened at the residence of senior leader L K Advani to control the voices of dissent over party's decision to support the bill, according to party sources.

Most of them were unhappy that they were consulted only when unhappiness was brewing in the party, some had problems with the format of the bill while a few others thought that BJP was allowing the Congress to take credit for empowering women.

Maneka Gandhi felt the proposed legislation would lead to wives and daughters of politicians blocking chances of promising women candidates from weaker sections of society.

"I would appeal to the party High Command to look into it and ensure interest of everybody is taken care of," Haque said.

A first-time party MP said on the condition of anonymity that there was "unease all around" in the party and most of the men MPs are against the move, which, he claimed, in effect would lead to reservation of 75 per cent seats for women.

The contention is that women members could continue to contest from unreserved constituencies as being a sitting MP, the woman candidate will be in an advantageous position.

Besides, the rotation of constituency will lead to their neglect as MPs, knowing well that they would not get to contest from there another time will hardly bother about concerns of the area, he argued.

Another MP said that a solution to the vexed issue could be by increasing the Lok Sabha seats by 33 percent as this would, besides giving representation to the women, will not take away the constituencies being held by established party leaders.

A Union Minister however said he was all for the measure as his constituency would get reserved in another ten years, time enough for his daughter to contest.

Besides he said in a tongue- in- cheek remark that his another daughter could represent his assembly seat.

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